Most people say a rich girl can't be friends with newsies, but for me that's a completely different story. I was best friends with the Manhattan newsies and had been for a while. But if my father ever found out I was friends with them, I would hate to see what would happen. In some way it was my father's fault I was friends with them. It was his fault I met Jack Kelly.

It was a cold winter's morning and a younger version of me was in my bedroom trying to find the warmest clothes possible, but that was quite difficult considering almost everything I owned was made out of thin cotton.

That day, I was going to meet my best friend Christina, so we could go for a walk around Central Park, like most people did at that time of year.

Once I'd finished getting ready, and was wearing a relatively warm pink, lacy dress, making sure I had a shawl with me, I proceeded to walk down my winding staircase and towards the front door. On the way out, I got stopped by me father, who gave me a questionable look.

"Where are you going, Alyssa?" questioned my father.

"To meet Christina at Central Park. We're going to go on a walk." I answered, smiling as sweetly as I could.

"I find it very good that you're getting fresh air, but please be careful, New York can be a terrifyng place." pleaded my father.

"I promise I'll be careful, father." I smiled.

"Very well, have fun. But while you're out, could you please get me a paper?" asked my father, while handing me a dollar.

"Of course, father." I said, as I clenched the dollar in my hand.

My father smiled at me, before I headed out into the vast city. It took my a while to fully take in my surroundings, but as soon as I did, all I could hear was the sound of newsies yelling from every street corner.

I proceeded down the street, where I saw quite a tall newsboy, giving a paper to a very nice old lady that lived near my friend Katherine. Deciding that this was the best newsboy, to go to, I reached up my hand and tapped him on the shoulder. Quickly, he turned around and gave a bright smile, to which I was very pleased about.

"Sir, could I please have a paper?" I asked.

He nodded and gave me the paper, trading it for the dollar I had in my hand. Just as he was about to swipe his hand away from me, I saw him shake his head.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"You gave me too much money, it only costs a penny. I can't take this." stated the newsboy.

"Keep it. You need it more than I do." I smiled.

"Thanks. You're nice, nicer than some o' the bags livin' 'round here anyway." he said.

"Thank you." I laughed.

"I'm Jack Kelly." introduced the newsboy.

"I'm Alyssa Montgomery." I replied.

"As in Frank Montgomery's daughter?" questioned Jack.

"Yes." I nodded.

"It was nice meeting you." smiled Jack.

And with those final words, Jack walked off. And I stood there shocked.

Everyone had always said newsies were vermin and a disgrace to the city. I hadn't ever met one, not until that day. And from that one meeting, my view on newsies was changed. From then on, I began to see more and more of Jack around the city, and became closer to him everyday. Soon, I met the rest of the Manhattan newsies and became close to them as well.

Everything was fine. My father thought I was with my friends all day, but really I was with the newsies. Everyone was happy. Until something horrible happened. Something that made me have to choose between the two most important things in my life.

Thanks everyone for reading the first chapter. If you would like to know what Alyssa looks like there is a link on my profile, Hope you enjoyed this chapter and please follow, favourite and comment. Bye. Xxx.